THE government will not spend a single centavo for the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani of former President Ferdinand Marcos, a senior cabinet official said.
“No. The government will only spend on the honors [to be given.] There will be no money out, like the transportation of the cadaver, it’s theirs,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told the Manila Standard in a chance interview.
The Supreme Court earlier issued a status quo ante order for the deferment of the hero’s burial for the late President, who died in Hawaii in 1989, and whose remains will be transferred from Batac, Ilocos Norte to the Libingan ng mga Bayani at a still undisclosed date.
The status quo order, which has a prescribed period of 20 days, prevents Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Department of National Defense under Lorenzana and the Armed Forces of the Philippines among others, from continuing the preparations for Marcos burial.
Lorenzana said because of the high court’s ruling, talks between the government and the Marcos family were stalled.
“[The government] had initial talks when I gave a directive, there have been talks already for three times but were stalled because of the status quo ante order.”
Duterte earlier insinuated the Liberals were politicizing the continued opposition to the burial of Marcos, insisting he will follow whatever the law is.
Should Marcos, president from Dec 30, 1965 to Feb 25, 1986, be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, he will be given full military honors, befitting a war veteran and as a former President.
“If the SC rules to continue [the burial], yes we will pursue [giving him full military honors] but if not, we’re sorry,” Lorenzana said.
